Senator says US may need compulsory service to boost Iraq force

AFP ^ | 4/20/2004 | AFP

[beavus]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A senior Republican lawmaker said that deteriorating security in Iraq (news - web sites) may force the United States to reintroduce the military draft.

"There's not an American ... that doesn't understand what we are engaged in today and what the prospects are for the future," Senator Chuck Hagel told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on post-occupation Iraq.

"Why shouldn't we ask all of our citizens to bear some responsibility and pay some price?" Hagel said, arguing that restoring compulsory military service would force "our citizens to understand the intensity and depth of challenges we face."

The Nebraska Republican added that a draft, which was ended in the early 1970s, would spread the burden of military service in Iraq more equitably among various social strata.

"Those who are serving today and dying today are the middle class and lower middle class," he observed.

The call to consider a imposing a draft comes just days after the Pentagon (news - web sites) moved to extend the missions of some 20,000 of the 135,000 US troops in Iraq.

Some critics of the US-led occupation complain that military planners used too few troops to subdue Iraq, and insist that more military muscle will be needed to restore order.

The US-led military coalition was put under further strain by the announcement this week by coalition members Spain and Honduras that they would withdraw their military contingents from Iraq.

Meanwhile, witnesses at the hearing, including academics and former US officials, expressed concern about ongoing flareups of violence in Iraq this month -- the bloodiest yet for US troops.

"I think it's clear that pressures in Iraq have reached the boiling point," said Samuel Berger, national security adviser during the Bill Clinton (news - web sites) administration, who called for an increase in troops there, and a "genuine, non-grudging effort to internationalize the enterprise in Iraq, both military and civilian."

"We've got to be prepared to give up our hammerlock on decision making in exchange for genuine burden sharing."

Richard Perle, a former White House adviser who currently serves as a fellow at a conservative think tank, advised against adding troops or extending the date of handover of Iraqi sovereignty beyond the currently-set June 30 date.

"It is essential that we not delay the handover of sovereignty set for the end of June, even if there is continuing violence by those who know they have no place in a decent, democratic Iraq," he said.

Perle also warned against entrusting the United Nations (news - web sites) with the post-occupation administration of Iraq, saying UN involvement should be kept at "an absolute minimum."

"A large UN contingent in Iraq ... would do more harm than good," Perle said.

"It would discourage the assumption of sovereignty by Iraqis themselves. It would drain resources urgently needed for the development of Iraq's economy," Perle said.

A senior Democrat meanwhile, lashed out at the White House for failing to send a top administration official to appear before the panel.

"I think it is outrageous that the administration has not provided every witness we've asked for," said Senator Joseph Biden, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee.

"The fact that they are not prepared to send a witness means that they are either totally incompetent and they don't have anything to tell us ... or they're refusing to allow us to fulfill our constitutional responsibility" of congressional oversight, Biden said.

The committee's Republican chairman, Richard Lugar, also slammed the White House for "inadequate planning and communication related to Iraq."

[beavus]

"Why shouldn't we ask all of our citizens to bear some responsibility and pay some price?"

60dd@m1+! Conscription isn't asking people, it's telling them. Fricking liberty-smashing doublespeaking armtwisting son of a liberal.

[Unam Sanctam]

Stupid move. Who does this Republican want elected President in the fall?

[annyokie]

What an asshat.

[Sub-Driver]

Chuck Hagel (R) France

[beavus]

Why not actually TRY asking before dragging people into forced bondage. If I thought my country really needed me on the desert sands in the defense of liberty, I would go. I haven't seen a single add campaign telling people that the US military needs them for the Middle East wars, and already he's pushing for slavery. The bass turd.

[ex-snook]

"Who does this Republican want elected President in the fall? "

Maybe he thinks it better to win the war on terrorism than to win an election.

[chance33_98]

We need to draft people for here in the US, 16,000 murders in 2002, many many more injured in attacks, domestic violence, et al. The US is more dangerous than Iraq for Americans. Perhaps Kerry will ask the UN to come in and help us, or maybe the liberals will decide it is time to pull out as there is no hope....

We should send more people to Iraq, seems to be safer for them there than here :)

[Unam Sanctam]

The draft is not necessary to win the war in Iraq. More troops can be obtained with the volunteer army. It should only be considered if a new hot warfront opens up in the war on terror. It is politically stupid to raise this issue. Remember how the anti-vietnam protests suddenly diminished to a trickle when Nixon eliminated the draft.

[prairiebreeze]

Well, this is from AFP of course. So terribly slanted to begin with.

A senior Democrat meanwhile, lashed out at the White House for failing to send a top administration official to appear before the panel.

"I think it is outrageous that the administration has not provided every witness we've asked for," said Senator Joseph Biden, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee.

So at least there's a humorous part in the piece. BTW, what panel is the article referring to? First time anything about a "panel" was referenced, further illustrating that it's just typical AFP garbage.

Also, I recently read where enlistment rates are actually above normal in the military at this time.

Prairie

[yooper]

"There's not an American ... that doesn't understand what we are engaged in today and what the prospects are for the future," Senator Chuck Hagel told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on post-occupation Iraq."

Is Hagel really this clueless? The RNC needs to muzzle him ASAP, before he further damages Bush's campaign.

[greasepaint]

The stupid party, well, is stupid.
Why do Republicans want to lose elections?

[RegT]

I heard Drudge say on his radio show that if the draft is ever reinstated, all hell will break loose in the Britney Spears generation. What kind of Republican would EVER be so stupid as to say this! Up to now, I thought I would only hear "bring back the draft" from Hillary Clinton, Charlie Rangel and crew.

[Arkinsaw]

#1 Pay our volunteers
#2 Give our volunteers the quality medical benefits promised them
#3 Its better to give no "go-home" date than it is to give one and then fail to meet it. #4 During wartime, optional peacetime peacekeeping duties must be transferred immediately to willing non-combatant nations or abandoned completely.

[joesnuffy]

Make sure college is on summer recess before you make your move....the Repubbies can kiss the election adios if they do this...

Just pay the combat vets what they are worth...and make sure they are taken care of if they get wounded or permanently disabled...and quit playing games with them in the VA system

Screw them and they will turn on you....take decent care..fulfill your promises...and Americans will sign on to fight...no need to draft...

imo

[Arkinsaw]

and quit playing games with them in the VA system

Indeed. No more making them pay for their own food in the hospital. If money is short, they can get it from the budget of the Robert Byrd Memorial Steam Engine and Jam Making Museum in WV.

[rebel_yell2]

I just contributed $1,000 to Bush/RNC, and I did not think that there was anything that could ever make me vote for a Democrat, but I would vote AGAINST Hagel and any other facist who proposes a return to the draft.